SageTV & iTunes w HD-PVR Vista problems?

[Jettin2T]

I've been running SageTV Media Center for Windows Version 6.5.9 w HD-PVR & iTunes 8.1 on Vista 32. The other day when I ran itunes it said there was a new version available 8.2. I went ahead and upgraded. After it was installed and rebooted I noticed that certain HD channels such as HBO, ShowTime, CineMax would cause the HD-PVR to drop and reconnect (blue light goes in and out) almost immediately and just would keep doing within 10-15 seconds over and over. Some of the other channels that are still HD but more like SD over HD seemed to work fine. (Detailed info on each channel would show MPEG2-TS[h.264 1080i,AC3/384kbps@48kHz 5.1]

I uninstalled iTunes 8.2 and problem gone.

Whats strange is that I had iTunes 8.1 installed prior to the upgrade and it worked just fine with SageTV even when they were both running at the same time. Example: Pause or stop SageTV and go to iTunes play and few tunes then pause or stop and go back to Sage. The applications for the most part co-existed and I could at least close one and use the other. I know I shouldnt be using at the same time but should be able to use at least one or the other. Sage is not running in service mode.

I'm going to try and do a fresh install of iTunes again and see if the problem resurfaces.

Right now my SageTV and HD-PVR are working just like before, No problems. I'm willing to bite the bullet here do a test and provide some feedback.

I did a search on the forums but didnt come across this specific situation.

[Jettin2T]

Sorry to kick this back up to the top but I do have an update.

Seems my findings with iTunes & SageTV was unfounded.

Problem turned out to be my Comcast DCT-6200 STB. I connected the STB box directly to a TV and Audio Receiver (SPDIF). Sure enough Video/Audio cut-outs. No wonder the HD-PVR was choking left and right.

Turned in the STB for an exchange and all good except for some weird problem with CineMax and Starz HD Channels. Sometimes no Audio and intermittent SPDIF drops on CineMax... comcast is coming out in the next few days to inspect the cable wiring.

All this seems to explain why the HD-PVR would intermittently stutter (blue light goes out).

Lesson learned was to connect it to a TV and Audio/Video and monitor closely for any hiccups. I think the HD-PVR was doing what its suppose to do... no signal and it drops.